Method for forming and processing textile fibers and filamentary materials



g- 13, 1964 F. c. SKALKO ETAL 3,144,637

METHOD FOR FORMING AND PROCESSING TEXTILE FIBERS AND FILAMENTARYMATERIALS Filed April 6, 1960 INVENTORS FRANCIS 6. Jmura 6 Jaw J Own/.5

gizwaww g ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3 144 687 METHOD FORFtlklvlllfiG AND PROCESSING TEX- TILE FIBERS AND FILAMENTARY MATERIALSFrancis C. Slralko, Pawtucket, R.I., and John J. Owens, Greenville,S.C,, assignors to Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Toledo, (lhio, acorporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 6, 1960, Ser. No. 20,419 11 Claims.(Cl. 19145.5)

This invention relates to the formation and processing of textile fibersand filamentary materials and more especially a method of blendingstaple fiber with a linear fibrous body or strand of filaments forproducing a composite textile strand or yarn.

Textile fibers or filaments have been formed by attenuating streams ofheat-softened materials such as glass, filament forming resins or thelike at high linear speeds to form fine fibers or filaments which aregathered into strand formation and collected by winding same into apackage preparatory to further processing the strand or filamentarymaterial to yarns or other linear form' It has been found that a linearbody or strand of glass fibers for certain textile purposes may beenhanced with advantageous characteristics of other fibrous materials bycombining the body or strand with staple fiber.

The present invention has for an object the provision of a method ofadmixing, blending or commingling staple fiber with continuous filamentsor a linear fibrous body to produce a composite linear body wherebyadvantageous characteristics of staple fiber are attained in a linearbody endowed with high strength characteristics.

Another object of the invention resides in a method of forming acomposite linear yarn-like material embodying fibers or filaments formedof glass or other heat-softenable material which, concomitantly withtheir formation, are blended with a linear fibrous body or staple fiber,the admixture or blend being oriented into a composite linear body fortextile uses.

Another object of the invention resides in a method involving formingfilaments or fibers from heat-softenable material by attenuation andconcomitantly advancing a filamentary or fibrous body, commingling thefilamentary or fibrous body and fibers to form a composite linearfibrous structure having improved strength characteristics anddecorative motif, particularly for use in fabricating textiles wherebulk yarn characteristics are desirable.

Another object of the invention resides in a method including advancinga linear bundle of filaments, temporarily dispersing the filaments intoopen pattern formation and commingling or combining fibers or a fibrousbody with the dispersed filaments and compacting the commingledfilaments and fibers or fibrous body to produce a composite yarn-likestructure.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a thread-like bodyformed of filaments attenuated from heat-softenable materials commingledand compacted with fibers of different materials to form a linearyarnlike body or product endowed with characteristics of both materialsand improving dimensional stability as well as the affinity of theproduct for dyes.

Another object of the invention resides in an apparatus or structuralarrangement comprising means arranged to attenuate heat-softenablematerial to form fibers or filaments, and embodying means forcommingling the fibers or filaments with fibers or a fibrous body ofdifferent material and compacting the commingled materials to form acomposite linear body wound upon a collector in package form.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatusembodying a means effective to open a linear multifilament body incombination with means for deliver- 3,144,687 Patented Aug. 18, 1964 ingstaple fiber or a fibrous body into the open pattern of filamentswhereby to orient the commingled materials into a composite strand oryarn-like body.

Another object of the invention resides in a method of forming acomposite linear body wherein a strand of continuous newly formedfilaments, such as filaments formed of glass or other heat-softenablematerial, is opened to disperse the filaments in an open pattern ornetwork and staple fiber or linear fibrous material delivered into theregion of the open pattern or network of filaments and the admixture orblend of filaments and fiber or fibrous material oriented into acomposite linear body or product particularly suitable for textile uses.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this inventionsuch as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the relatedelements of the structure, to various details of construction and tocombinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufactureand numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration ofthe specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may bepreferred, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a semidiagrammatic view illustrating one form of apparatusfor carrying out the method of the in vention to produce the novelproduct;

FIGURE 2 is a semidiagrammatic View of a modified form of apparatus forcarrying out the method of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 showing another method ofcommingling filamentary and fibrous materials; and

FIGURE 4 is a semidiagrammatic view illustrating another form ofapparatus for carrying out the method of commingling or blending fibers,filaments or fibrous materials together.

The method and apparatus of the invention have particular utility incommingling or blending filaments or fibers formed of heat-softenablematerials, such as glass or fiber-forming resins, with filaments, fibersor linear fibrous bodies formed of other materials, such as asbestos,ceramic fibers, fibers of nylon, vinyl copolymers, acetate, cotton,wool, sisal, or other fibers of natural or synthetic materials, thecommingled materials being compacted or oriented into a composite linearyarn-like body or novel product having improved strength characteristicsand readily adaptable for decorative motif derived through particularcharacteristics of filaments or fibers of the dif ferent materials, thecomposite linear yarn-like body being suitable for fabricating textilesand the like.

In one phase of the method, a linear body of filaments is acted upon todisperse or separate the filaments in an open pattern or network andstaple fiber introduced into the zone of separated filaments whereby thefilaments and staple fiber are combined or commingled to form acomposite filamentary structure.

Another phase of the method relates to the introduction of a thread-likelinear fibrous body into the zone of separation of the filaments andorienting or blending the filaments and fibrous body into a compositefilamentary structure or product. The method embraces the blending orcommingling of newly formed fibers or filaments of heat-softenedmaterial with a linear fibrous body adjacent the region of formation ofthe fibers or filaments and compacting the commingled materials into acomposite linear product.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to the apparatusillustrated in FIGURE 1, the filamentary constituent or component isformed of continuous filaments attenuated from heat-softened material,such as glass or filament forming resin. As illustrated in FIGURE 1, aforehearth or feeder 10 is adapted to contain or be supplied withheat-softened glass or other heat-softened ma-- terial, the lower wall12 or floor of the feeder or forehearth being formed with a plurality ofdepending projections or tips 14, each fashioned with an orifice.

Streams 16 of the heat-softened material flow through the orifices. Thestreams 16 are attenuated at a comparatively high linear speed to formcomparatively fine continuous filaments 18. In the arrangementillustrated in FIGURE 1, the filaments 18 are converged into amultifilarnent strand or linear group 20 under the influence of a guideor filament gathering surface 22, the strand being directed through thenip region of a pair of pull rolls 24 mounted upon arbors 25 which arerotated at identical speeds by suitable power transmission and a motor(not shown) to advance the strand 20.

By advancing the strand 29 at high speed, the streams 16 are attenuatedto the filaments comprising the strand. Means is provided to effect aseparation of the filaments of the strand or opening of the strand sothat the filaments are temporarily dispersed in an open pattern or opennetwork. Disposed beneath and in the path of the advancing strand 20 isa deflecting surface 27 of a plate or member 28 arranged at an anglewith respect to the path of movement of the strand.

The strand impinging on the deflecting surface 27 is projected therefromin a different direction dependent upon the relative angularity of thedeflecting surface of member 28 with respect to the path of incidence ofthe strand 20.

The effect of the impingement of the multifilament strand against thedeflector 28 is' to disperse or separate the filaments into an openpattern at the region 29. The arrangement illustrated in FIGURE 1includes means for feeding staple fiber into the region 29 of the openpattern of continuous filaments adjacent the deflecting means or plate28 to commingle or blend the staple fiber with the continuous filaments.The filaments and staple fiber are advanced through a compactor orcondenser 30 which compacts or orients the materials into a compositelinear body, product or filamentary structure 32 which is wound upon asleeve or collector 34 to form a wound package 36.

In the embodiment illustrated, a shaft or arbor 38 is supported by arms40 pivotally joined with supports 41 and mounted by a housing 42. Thehousing 42 contains means for driving or rotating the sleeve 34 and inthe embodiment illustrated includes a driven roll 44 rotated by asuitable motor (not shown), the roller contacting the periphery of thepackage for rotating the sleeve and package at the desired speed toaccumulate or collect the composite linear product 32.

The linear body or filamentary structure 32 is traversed lengthwise ofthe sleeve 34 to form an elongated package by means of a conventionalstrand traverse 46 which is reciprocated to effect distribution of theproduct as the package is formed.

The condenser or compactor 30 is of a tubular configuration and servesto fold in the staple fibers and cornpact the commingled fibers andfilaments of the strand. The compactor 30 may be provided with anangularly disposed tube 48 adapted to be connected with a source ofcompressed air whereby to direct a jet of air into the compactor 30 toassist in folding or integrating the staple fibers into themultifilament strand as the filaments are progressively converged duringmovement through the compactor 30.

A form of means or system for delivering staple fiber for blending orcommingling with the multifilament strand is illustrated at 50. Thestaple fiber feed arrangement includes a hopper or other receptacle 52adapted to contain staple fiber 54 or other fibrous material to beblended or integrated with the multifilament strand 20. The hopper isfashioned with a chamber 56 in which is rotatably mounted a fiberfeeding means or wheel 53 provided with a plurality of radially arrangedblades or vanes 60 mounted upon a shaft 62 driven by a motor 64 throughthe medium of pulleys and a driving belt 66.

The motor 64 is of the variable speed type for controlling the rate offeed of the staple fiber by controlling the speed of rotation of thefeed wheel 58. It is to be understood that other forms of variable speeddrive for the fiber feed may be employed for the purpose. Thearrangement illustrated includes means for processing the staple fibersto disperse them in discrete form and to continuously deliver the staplefibers into the open pattern of the filaments of the strands at theregion 29 adjacent the deflecting surface 28 for commingling, combiningor blending the staple fiber with the continuous filaments.

The apparatus includes a generally circular cylindrically-shaped housing'70 providing a chamber 71 having closed ends, the latter having beenomitted from FIG- URE 1 for purposes of illustration. A channel, chuteor passage 72 is in communication with the fiber feeding chamber 56 andis in communication with the fiber conditioning chamber 71 in agenerally tangential position for conveying staple fiber from the feedchamber 56 into the cylindrical chamber 71.

The channel 72 above the region of delivery of staple fiber from thefeeding means is open to the atmosphere as shown at 74 to admitatmospheric air with the staple fiber moving through the passage 72. Thefeed chute or passage 72 conveys the staple fiber into the chamber 71 ata controlled rate. The lower wall region of the housing 70 is formedwith a plurality of openings 76 through which fibers are delivered intothe region 29 of the open strand forwardly of the zone of impingement ofthe strand 20 against the deflector surface 27 of the plate 28.

The openings 76 may be in the form of slots arranged in spaced apartrelation or in the form of discrete openings simulating a screen or aforaminous area. The openings 76 may be formed in a separable plate inlieu of the wall region of the housing 70 to facilitate changing platesto provide different patterns of orifices or openings for most etficientdelivery of the discrete staple fibers dependent upon the types orlengths of fibers to be blended or commingled with the filaments of theopened strand.

In the arrangement illustrated in FIGURE 1, it is desirable to establishturbulent movement of the staple fiber in the conditioning chamber 71 inorder to break up clumps or tufts of fibers so that substantiallydiscrete fibers are projected through the openings 76. The discretefibers in the chamber 71 are entrained in a tangential air streamarranged so that the fibers in the air stream are properly directedthrough the openings 76 for blending with the pattern of open filaments.

The housing 70 is equipped with an air nozzle 80 tangentially arrangedwith respect to the circular wall of the chamber, the direction of theair stream projected from p the nozzle 80 is in general alignment withthe openings 76. In order to set up effective turbulence in the charmber 71 to separate pellets, clumps or tufts of fibers into disperseddiscrete fibers, it is desirable to introduce one or more air blasts orjets in generally radial directions in the chamber 71 to accomplish thispurpose.

As shown in FIGURE 1, a nozzle 82 is disposed to direct an air streamgenerally radially into the chamber 71 to establish turbulence of thestaple fiber in the chamber. Several of such nozzles may be spacedperipherally of the housing for directing air streams radially into thechamber. The nozzles and 82 are connected with a suitable source ofcompressed air. The deflector plate 28 is supported by trough-likemember 84, the side walls 85 thereof extending upwardly so as to confinethe staple fiber and dispersed filaments in a blending zone.

The blended or composite assemblage 32 of filaments of the strand 20 andstaple fiber 54 is advanced into the compactor 30 by the winding of thecomposite linear body of filaments and staple fiber 32 onto the sleeveor tube 34. The air jet introduced into the compactor 30 through thetube 48 and the funnel or converging configuration of the compactor 39function to progressively fold in and integrate the staple fibersdelivered into the zone 29 with the filaments of the strand 20 to formthe composite linear body 32.

The staple fiber 54 is of a different material than that of theattenuated fibers or filaments 18 to impart to the composite linear body32 the advantageous characteristics of difierent materials. For example,a linear body 32 resembling a bulk yarn may be formed by proportioningthe amount of staple fiber integrated with the continuous filaments orfibers.

A comparatively small amount of staple fiber may be blended with thefibers or filaments 18 to merely provide a roughened surface for thebody 32 where a roughened surface is desired in the fabrication oftextiles. The use of the method and apparatus of the invention enablesthe production of a composite filamentary body having the desirablestrength characteristics of continuous filaments and a surface motifsimulating that of staple yarn.

In the operation of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 1, streams 16 ofheat-softened material such as glass flowing from orificed projections14 of the feeder are attenuated into continuous filaments 18 by rotationof the pull wheels or rotatable members 24, and the filaments 18gathered or converged by a guide 22 into a strand 20. The filaments maybe attenuated at linear speeds of several thousand feet per minute.

The strand of filaments from the pull wheels 24 is projected or impingedagainst the angularly disposed deflecting plate 28, the force ofimpingement deflecting the filaments away from the surface 27 of theplate, simultaneously dispersing or opening up the filaments of thestrand into an open pattern or network. Concomitantly with the formationof the filaments of the strand, the fiber feeding member 58 is rotatedby the motor 64 to feed staple fiber of different material through thechute or passage into the chamber 71.

Compressed air is ejected into the chamber 71 through the nozzles 36 and82, the staple fiber being tumbled and agitated by the radially directedair blast from the nozzle 82 to separate pellets, tufts or clumps offibers preparatory to their being entrained in an air blast or streamfrom the nozzle 80 and projected through the orifices 76 into contactwith the dispersed or separated filaments in open pattern formation atthe region 29 adjacent the deflector surface 27. The filaments andstaple fiber are drawn through the compactor 30 by winding the linearbody 32 formed therefrom into a cylindrical package 36 on the rotatingsleeve 34.

The driving means 44 for the material collecting tube or sleeve 34rotates the tube at a speed to accommodate the linear material 32 atsubstantially the same linear speed as the attenuation of the filaments18 under the influence of the pull rolls 24. The rate of feed ordelivery of the staple fiber into the open network or pattern offilaments may be regulated by varying the speed of the staple fiberfeeding means.

FIGURE 2 illustrates an apparatus for blending together or combining alinear fibrous body with a strand of newly formed filaments of amaterial other than that of the fibrous body to form a composite linearbody. In this form, heat-softened glass or resin contained in areceptacle or feeder 1t), flows through orificed tips 14' as streams 16which are attenuated to filaments 18' under the influence of rotatablemembers or pull rolls 24', the filaments being converged by a guide eyeor gathering means 22 into strand formation 20 prior to engagement ofthe strand by the rotatable members 24' at the nip region thereof.

The filaments are attenuated at comparataively high speeds of severalthousand linear feet per minute. The advancing strand 2ft iscontinuously impinged against a deflector plate or surface 28' supportedby a trough-like member 84. Concomitantly with the formation of thefilaments, a filamentary or fibrous yarn or linear body 90 is advancedfrom a package or supply 92 thereof into the open pattern or openedregion of the strand of filaments 6 at the region 29' resulting fromimpingement of the strand against the deflector plate. The material 92is preferably in package formation carried by a spool 93 supported bysuitable means (not shown).

The arrangement of FIGURE 2 includes a means 96 for advancing the linearbody or yarn from the package 92. In the embodiment illustrated, theadvancing means is in the form of a tubular member 98 having a sidebranch tube or passage 101) through which compressed air is introducedinto contact with the yarn or body at a proper angle to advance the body90 through the tube 93.

The arrangement illustrated at 96 is referred to as an air lance and isof conventional construction, and the rate of feed of the material maybe controlled by regulating velocity of air delivered through the tube98.

The linear body or yarn 90 is blended and combined with the spacedfilaments at the region 29' and the assemblage of strand 20 of filamentsand linear body or yarn 9b advanced through a compactor 31) which is ofthe type illustrated in FIGURE 1 wherein compressed air is introducedinto a side branch tube 48, the air assisting in compacting thematerials into a composite linear body 192;. The linear body 102 passesthrough a traverse member 46' and is wound upon a tubular sleeve or tube1114- to form a wound package 106. The sleeve and package are rotated bya driving means 44' contained within a housing 42.

Through the arrangement shown in FIGURE 2, the yarn or linear body 91)formed of fibers of materials other than the material of the filamentsor fibers 18' are blended together at the region 29' of opening of thestrand 26) to form a composite linear body of fibrous or filamentarymaterials wherein the composite body is endowed with the individual orparticular characteristics of the fibers and filaments making up thecomposite body.

The arrangement illustrated in FIGURE 3 is especially adapted forcombining a strand of continuous filaments formed of heat-softenablematerial, such as glass, with a fibrous linear body, the latterproviding a core for the filaments.

The heat-softened material in the feeder or supply receptacle 10" flowsthrough orificed tips 14 forming streams 16" which are attenuated tofilaments 18". As in the other forms of apparatus, the filaments areconverged into a strand 20" by a gathering means 22" and are engaged byrotatable members 24" at the nip region, the members rotating at a speedto attenuate the streams to fine filaments.

The strand 21)" is impinged upon a deflecting surface of plate 28" toopen up, separate and disperse the filaments of the strand in an openpattern at the region 29". The plate 28" is supported by a trough-likemember 84". In this form, the plate 28" is provided with an openingthrough which is advanced a fibrous or filamentary body or yarn 112 froma supply roll 114 carried by a suitable support (not shown). The yarn orlinear body 112 moves through the nip region between a pair of rolls 116which operate as friction or drag means upon the body 112 to maintainthe same in tension as the body moves through the opening 110 in theplate 28".

The filaments of the strand 2%" are separated or opened up by the forceof impinging the strand against the deflector plate 28". The linear bodyor yarn 112, formed of fibers of different material than the material ofthe filaments 1%", is advanced through the opening 110 in the plate 28"into contact with the dispersed filaments at the region 29".

The filaments 211" and the yarn or linear body 112 are advanced throughthe compactor 31) to form a composite linear body 118 which is woundupon a tube 120 into a package 122 as in the other forms of apparatushereinbefore described. The linear body or yarn 112 may be formed ofcontinuous filaments or staple fiber.

FIGURE 4 is a semidiagramrnatic view of an appasurges? ratus forcombining or blending newly attenuated fibers with fibrous orfilamentary material in linear body or yarn formation. The arrangementshown in FIGURE 4 is especially adapted for forming fibers ofheat-softenable low melting point organic materials, such as acrylicresin, polyamide resin, polyethylene resin, polyester resin or otherfiber-forming materials.

A supply of heat-softened resin or other fiber-forming material iscontained in the receptacle 130 from which streams 132 of the softenedmaterial flow on to the peripheries of rotatable members, rolls or drums136 mounted upon shafts 133 and driven in opposite directions asindicated by the arrows by a suitable motor and transmission gearing(not shown).

In this form of the invention, a yarn or linear body 138 formed of glassfibers or filaments or other fibers is advanced through the nip regionof the rotatable members or drums 136. A supply spool 146 of the yarn orlinear material is maintained in a position whereby the material or yarn138 may be withdrawn and passed around a guide 142 and downwardlybetween the rotating drums 136.

The streams 132 of the heat-softened material provide films 144 of thematerial upon adjacent peripheral sector regions or areas of the drums136 for conveying the heat-softened material through the nip region ofthe drums and in contact with the yarn or linear body 138. Theheat-softened fiber-forming material of the film 144 tends to adhere tothe peripheral surfaces of the drums as the drum surfaces move indivergent directions below the nip region thereof.

The adhesion of the fiber-forming material to the drum surfaces resultsin drawing or attenuating the material into fibers as the viscosity ofthe material effects a separation of portions of the film into discretebodies 148, the end regions of which remain adhered to the drums. As thesurfaces of the drums diverge during rotation the discrete bodies 148are attenuated into fibers 150 which adhere to the yarn or linear body138 and move downwardly with the yarn.

When the attenuated fibers or filaments 150 become fine throughattenuation, the ends of the fibers or filaments in contact with theperipheries of the drums are pulled therefrom and the fibers orfilaments carried along or advanced with the yarn 138. The assemblage ofyarn and fibers move into and through a compactor 39a whereby the fibersare compacted along the surface of the yarn or linear body 138 to form acomposite linear body or structure 152.

The composite linear body is wound upon a sleeve or tube 154 rotated bysuitable means into a package in the same manner as described inreference to the other forms of apparatus. The heat-softened material132, being a comparatively low melting resin, is maintained in a viscouscondition by the application of heat to the peripheral surface areas ofthe rotatable members or drums 136.

As illustrated in FIGURE 4, banks of infra-red lamps 158 may be employedto heat the surfaces of the drums 136. It is to be understood that hotblasts from internal combustion burners or flames from burning gases maybe directed into contact with the surfaces of the drums 136 to maintainthe proper viscosity of the fiber-forming material for most efiicientattenuation.

Through the arrangement shown in FIGURE 4, a bulky yarn may be fashionedby adhering newly formed fibers or filaments to a preformed yarn orlinear body also formed of fibers. The linear body or yarn 138 may beformed of fibers of glass, linear polyamide material or other materialssuch as acrylic, polyethylene and polyester resins or the like. In lieuof the advancing of the yarn or linear body 138 by winding the finalproduct upon a rotatable sleeve 154, a pair of pull rolls such asillustrated in the other forms may be utilized for advancing the yarn138 and fibers adhered thereto.

By advancing the yarn 138 by means of pull rolls at a linear speedslightly greater than the peripheral speed of the drums or rotatablemembers 136, a secondary attenuation of the fibers adhering to the yarn138 may be attained. The packaged material made by this method may beprocessed by twisting same with other fibrous or filamentary bodies forvarious textile uses.

In the forms of apparatus shown in FIGURES 1 through 3, the heatsoftened material is preferably a mineral material such as glass and thecontinuous filamerits provide a strand endowed with high strengthcharacteristics. The staple fiber oriented with the continuous filamentsmay be natural fibers such as cotton, wool or resin fibers such asfibers formed of linear polyamides, polyesters, polyethylene, acrylicsor the like. In the arrangement illustrated in FIGURE 4, fibers of theyarn or linear body 133 should preferably be formed of materials of afusing temperature higher than that of the material from which thefibers or filaments are formed in order to avoid a fusion of the fibersor filaments of the yarn 138 with the other fibers.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modificationsand different arrangements may be made other than as herein disclosed,and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the inventioncomprehending all variations thereof.

We claim:

1. The method of producing a composite linear body of differentmaterials including attenuating heat-softened material to comparativelyfine elongate discrete bodies in strand form, impinging the strandagainst a surface to disperse the bodies, continuously blending afibrous constituent with the dispersed discrete bodies as they areformed to establish a linear assemblage, advancing the linear assemblagethrough a compactor to compact the discrete bodies and fibrousconstituent into a composite linear body, and winding the composite bodyon a collector.

2. The method of producing a linear composite fibrous body includingadvancing a linear multifilament component, impinging the multifilamentcomponent against a surface to disperse the filaments of the component,blending staple fiber with the dispersed filaments of the advancingfilamentary component, and continuously advancing the asseemblage ofstaple fiber and multifilament component through a compactor to form acompacted linear body.

3. The method of producing a composite linear body includingcontinuously impinging a linear group of filaments against a surface toopen the filaments, blending staple fiber with the open filaments,continuously advancing the assemblage of staple fiber and open filamentsthrough a compactor to form a compacted composite linear body, andcollecting the compacted body.

4. The method of producing a linear composite fibrous body includingcontinuously impinging a linear filamentary component of filamentsagainst a surface to open the filaments, blending staple fiber ofdifferent material with the opened filaments of the filamentarycomponent, directing the assemblage of staple fiber and opened filamentsthrough a compactor to form a compacted linear body, and winding thecompacted body into a package.

5. The method of producing a composite linear body includingcontinuously attenuating heat-softened material to fine elongatediscrete bodies, converging the bodies into a strand, impinging thestrand against a surface to disperse the bodies without fracturing them,continuously blending fibrous material with the dispersed discretebodies, directing the blend of fine dispersed discrete bodies andfibrous material through a compactor to integrate the discrete bodiesand fibrous material into a composite linear body, and collecting thecomposite linear body in a package.

6. A method of forming a linear composite product including attenuatingheat-softened material to continuous filaments, continuously gatheringthe filaments into a linear bundle, impinging the linear bundle offilaments against a surface to disperse the filaments into an openpattern, feeding a fibrous constituent of a different material into theopen pattern of filaments to commingle the materials, and compacting thecommingled materials into a linear composite product.

7. A method of forming a linear composite product including attenuatingheat-softened material to continuous filaments, continuously gatheringthe filaments into a linear bundle, impinging the bundle against asurface to disperse the filaments into an open pattern, feeding staplefiber of a different material into the open pattern of filaments tocommingle the materials, compacting the commingled materials into alinear composite product, and Winding the product into a package.

8. A method of forming a linear filamentary product includingattenuating heat-softened mineral material to continuous filaments,continuously gathering the filaments into a linear bundle, impinging thebundle against a surface to disperse the filaments into an open pattern,feeding organic fibrous material into the open pattern of mineralfilaments to commingle the fibrous material and filaments, compactingthe commingled filaments and fibrous material into a linear product, andWinding the linear product into a package.

9. A method of producing a composite linear structure includingimpinging a strand of continuous filaments against a surface to dispersethe filaments of the strand, delivering fiber of a different materialinto the region of the dispersed filaments, commingling the fiber withthe 10 dispersed filaments, compacting the commingled fiber anddispersed filaments While advancing the filaments, and Winding thecompacted commingled fiber and filaments into a package.

10. The method of producing a linear composite fibrous product includingadvancing a linear multifilament component, impinging the multifilamentcomponent against a surface to disperse the filaments of the component,com mingling a fibrous constituent with the dispersed filamerits, andcompacting the commingled filaments and fibrous constituent into alinear composite product.

11. A method of producing a composite linear structure includingimpinging a strand of continuous filaments against a surface to dispersethe filaments of the strand, delivering fiber of a dilferent materialinto the region of the dispersed filaments, commingling the fiber Withthe dis persed filaments, and compacting the commingled fiber anddispersed filaments into a linear composite product while advancing thefilaments and fiber.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,622,306 Anderson Dec. 23, 1952 2,719,352 Slayter et al. Oct. 4, 19552,816,327 Hunter et al Dec. 17, 1957 2,825,199 Hicks Mar. 4, 19582,842,803 Hunter et al. July 15, 1958 2,842,804 Hunter et al July 15,1958 2,851,737 Hunter et al. Sept. 16, 1958 2,869,967 Breen Jan. 20,1959

1. THE METHOD OF PRODUCING A COMPOSITE LINEAR BODY OF DIFFERENTMATERIALS INCLUDING ATTENUATING HEAT-SOFTENED MATERIAL TO COMPARATIVELYFINE ELONGATE DISCRETE BODIES IN STRAND FORM, INPINGING THE STRANDAGAINST A SURFACE TO DISPERSE THE BODIES, CONTINUOUSLY BLENDING AFIBROUS CONSTITUENT WITH THE DISPERSED DISCRETE BODIES AS THEY AREFORMED TO ESTABLISH A LINEAR ASSEMBLAGE, ADVANCING THE LINEAR ASSEMBLAGETHROUGH A COMPACTOR TO COMPACT THE DISCRETE BODIES AND FIBROUSCONSTITUENT INTO A COMPOSITE LINEAR BODY, AND WINDING THE COMPOSITE BODYON A COLLECTOR.